Shane: I see, I see.

Carmen: After, pretty much hitting on her.

Shane: Alice! No way!

Alex smiled. And Alice shrugged.

Alice; What? Can you blame me? She’s got the McMojo that comes with every McCutcheon.

Alex: Either way, you were right when you said I was taken.

Alex pulled out a ring on a chain around her neck. Jess had gotten it for her on their one year anniversary. She actually denounced it, until Jessica had told her she had bought it for her. That was a fun fight!

Alice: I see. While, so am I.

Just then, Max came into sight. He walked up to the group with a wide smile.

Max: Hey guys.

Shane: Hey man.

Alice and Carmen waved. Shane turned to Alex.

Shane: Umnm, Max, this is our daughter Alex.

Max: Nice to meet you Alex.

Alex: Right back at ya.

They shook hands. Carmen looked at Shane, then Alex.

Carmen: I’m done my shift, so you guys wanna get heading home?

Shane: Yeah, enough partying for one day.

 They all said their goodbyes, then the McCutcheon family was out the door. Back at home, everyone was dressed and ready for bed. Alex crawled into bed. Carmen soon softly knocked on the door. Alex smiled, she’d never said this before.

Alex: Come in!

Privacy was amazing! Carmen slowly opened the door and tip-toed in, in her PJ bottoms and one of Shane’s sweaters. She sat down on the edge of Alex’s bed. And curled a piece of her long, gorgeous hair behind her ear.

Carmen: I know this is kind of childish-…

Alex: No, it’s not. I like it.

She had never gotten tucked in at night. She got a story read to her by her dad, every birthday. It was the story her mother had read to her during that half hour in the hospital. That was the only time, he ever even showed that he liked his daughter.

Carmen smiled at that comment. She bent over and kissed Alex on the forehead lightly. Then, a pair of strong arms pulled her close. Alex had pulled her into a hug.